Sitka National Park
Volunteers Sought
Sitka National Historical Park will host a volunteer recruitment event 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 26, in the visitor center theater at 106 Metlakatla Street.
The National Park Service says more than 250,000 volunteers keep the NPS running every year with more than 6 million hours of service. This season, the Sitka NHP is expecting more visitors than ever and will need more volunteers to meet the challenge.
Volunteers greet and orient visitors at the front desk, guide tours, and rove the trail to answer questions.
‘‘We need friendly faces on our team,’’ the Sitka park said.
For more information or to jump in and sign up, attend the volunteer recruitment event, NPS urged.
Space is limited, so call 907-747-0110 to reserve a seat. Masks are required indoors and available for free at the front desk.
Transition Sitka
Film to Show
The public is invited to join Transition Sitka via Zoom 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, to view “Transition to a World Without Oil,” a short talk by Rob Hopkins about the limits faced when oil gets expensive and difficult to get.
‘‘We welcome you to discuss how we can work together to build Sitka’s resilient infrastructure,’’ the organization said.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/transitonsitka.
Natural Resource
Panel to Meet
The next meeting of the Natural Resource Committee will be held via Zoom 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.
It is open to the public. Tribal citizens are needed to be members of the Natural Resource Committee. For a link or to become a member of the committee, contact Jeff Feldpausch at email jeff.feldpausch@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or phone 907-747-7469.
Benefit Feb. 27
For Carver James
A benefit dinner for Carver James will be held 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, at the Sitka Elks Lodge.
The spaghetti feed will be followed by a dessert auction.
Carver, 9, has battled liver disease his entire life and now needs a liver transplant. Proceeds will be given to the family to help with costs.
All events held at the Elks Lodge are for members and invited guests.
‘Pop-Up’ Quilt Class
Offered March 5
Ocean Wave Quilt Guild will host a mini-mosaic “pop-up” quilt class instructed by Nancy Jo Bleier.
The technique uses small pieces of fabric to replicate the appearance of a tile mosaic. The day-long class is offered 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 5 at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
The date of the class is subject to change due to COVID-19 mitigations. Class size is limited to 10 participants allowing for social distancing. Cost is $40 for guild members and $50 for non-members. Registration and supply lists are available at Abby’s Reflection.
Legislature Plans
Week’s Meetings
The week of Feb. 21 the Alaska Legislature will have meetings on the following.
House, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, Adams 519:
–HB 281 Appropriation, operating budget, loans, funds.
–HB 282 Appropriation: mental health budget. Overview: Department of Environmental Conservation by Jason Brune, Commissioner.
Senate Finance, 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21: Senate Finance 532:
–SB 199 Permanent Fund, Permanent Fund Dividend. Testimony by invitation only.
–SB 200 Permanent Fund Dividend; 25/75 POMV split. Testimony by invitation only.
Senate Finance, Wednesday, 9 a.m. Feb. 23, Senate 532:
–SB 199 Permanent Fund; Permanent Fund Dividend.
–SB 200 Permanent Fund Dividend, 25/75 POMV split.
For a full list of topics, visit akleg.gov and click on “daily schedule.” If public testimony is being taken individuals may call in at 844-586-9085. Meetings may be canceled at any time. Track bills by text by calling the Sitka Legislative Information Office at 747-6276 or visit akleg.gov for more information.
Sitka’s Legislative Information Office is now open 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. for walk-ins and appointments. Appointments are preferred by calling Bronwyn Walton, information officer, Sitka Legislative Information Office at (907) 747-6276.
Sitka LIO is located at 201 Katlian Street #200A.
Youth Panel Campaigns
For Healthy Teen Dating
By Sentinel Staff
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and a group of Sitka youths has launched the ‘‘Healthy Me, Healthy We’’ campaign and a peer education program about healthy and unhealthy relationships to draw attention to the subject.
The month of recognition focuses on raising awareness about teen dating abuse and providing advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts, the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee said.
SYLC this year extends the message to both romantic and platonic relationships.
Nationally, 1.5 million high schoolers report having experienced either abusive or controlling behaviors in a dating relationship in a single year, and before they become adults, one in three girls in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a romantic relationship with.
SYLC said addressing teen dating violence is especially important in Alaska, where half of adult women experience intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both in their lifetime.
The local campaign helps to create dialogue with peers and deepen understanding of healthy relationships — two essential steps in preventing teen dating violence. Teens learn the essential elements of healthy relationships and the early warning signs of harmful and abusive behaviors.
The group also committed to teaching adults to have a role in promoting healthy relationships amongst teens and to be a resource and an ally to youths, which includes having open and non-judgemental conversations with them about relationships and being a source of education.
A few key components must be present in all relationships for them to be healthy: respect, equality, honesty, trust, communication, boundaries, and consent, SYLC said.
‘‘In a healthy relationship, you have the right to be yourself and you have the freedom to be independent,’’ the youth program said. ‘‘You also have the responsibility to respect your partner’s privacy, independence, and interests. Ultimately, in a healthy relationship, there is mutual respect and decision-making. Everyone is worthy of these things in a relationship.’’
Some people find themselves in relationships that do not fulfill these characteristics and demonstrate unhealthy behaviors. If a friend or family member is at risk for being in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, show support by listening to them, acknowledging their feelings, and respecting their decisions, SYLC said.
Resources for more information are: Sitkans Against Family Violence (call 747-3370, text 623-7820, or visit safv.org), loveisrespect.org, the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline (call 1-866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 77054), the National Domestic Violence Hotline (call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org), or athinline.org.
‘‘And remember, everyone has the right to feel safe and loved in their relationship,’’ the group said.
School Board Invites
Written Testimony
The Sitka School Board will begin receiving formal written public testimony for each of its regularly scheduled meetings.
Individuals can email comments to schoolboard@sitkaschools.org, subject: “Public Testimony.” Written public testimony is accepted for both action and non-action/non-agenda items and is subject to the same regulations as oral testimony (BB 9323), the board said. It will not be read aloud during board meetings but will be compiled and available online with each month’s meeting agenda. Submitted written testimony will become part of the meeting record.
